Torso top outer garment

ABSTRACT

A cover up torso top outer garment provides increased coverage and support for women wearing bikini bras formed of right and left side front stretchable portions of an outer fabric and an inner fabric with an open-ended front zipper releasably securing the portions, and elastic material along the bottom edge of each portion to form gathers along each bottom edge. Each portion has an elongated neck edge, and an elongate arm edge, with an elongated adjustable neck strap connected to the neck and arm edges of each portion, and an elongated adjustable back strap connected to the neck and bottom edges of each portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an auxiliary torso top outer garment to beworn by women wearing revealing bathing suits, primarily bikinis, duringactivities other than sunbathing.

2. Prior Art

Women that are fashionable and desirous of tanning much of their bodieswhen lying on the beach or poolside often wear bikini bathing suits tominimize tan lines on their backs, necks and elsewhere. This usuallypresents no problem when sitting or lying still on a towel or chaiselounge or the like. However, when bikini-clad women actively move about,playing volleyball, swimming, playing with and/or attending to children,where they may need to bend at the waist and/or crawl on the sand, thefashionable bikini tops pose risks of the breasts “popping out” of thebikini tops and/or being overly exposed.

Currently, the available possible solution to this problem is to buy andwear a sports bra or triathlon styled top where the shoulder strapsmerge into a one piece central leg forming a “Y” shaped back member bywhich unwanted tan lines would be made on the back of a woman wearingsame. Other sports bras have shoulder straps connected to a wide torsoband at the back, which would be unwanted by a woman wearing a bikinitop. Not only do sports bras cover too much of the torso, but the fabricis much thicker than bathing suit material and they are more binding anduncomfortable to wear. Also, to put on a sports bra over a bikini topwhile on the beach or at poolside would present some difficulties inproperly positioning the sports bra and/or the underlying bikini top.

Accordingly, this invention seeks to overcome the above problems byproviding a cover up in the form of an auxiliary torso top outer garmentwhich is readily donned and doffed without the normal motions of thebikini top wearer in attempting to also put on a sports bra over thebikini top being worn. Women using the torso top outer garment wouldnormally preset the adjustable straps of the torso top outer garment inthe privacy of their own home or hotel room, for example, over theirbikini tops so that the auxiliary torso top outer garment would bepreset and ready to be put on, much like a bolero or short jacket with asimple front closure, such as an open ended zipper.

Another feature of the auxiliary torso top outer garment is that itshould provide the wearer with comfort and support so that it may beworn comfortably for extended periods of time if necessary withoutdetracting from the ability to obtain a tan over most of the back of thewearer and which looks more stylish than sports bras and can withstandrepeated washings, wetting and drying substantially like a swimsuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The torso top outer garment in accord with this invention providesincreased coverage and support for women wearing bikini bra swimsuits,and the garment includes right and left side front portions respectivelyhaving a generally horizontal lower edge and a generally vertical edgeextending perpendicular and upward from an end of said lower edge. Theside front portions are made of a stretchable outer fabric for swimsuitsthat stretches vertically and horizontally and side front portions havea stretchable inner fabric that lines the outer fabric and alsostretches vertically and horizontally. Both of the fabrics are thin andreadily dry after being wet. An open-ended front zipper of apredetermined length is attached to each of the right and left sidefront portions along the vertical edges for releasably securing theright and front side portion to said left side front portion. A lengthof elastic material of a predetermined width is disposed along each ofthe lower edges and located between the inner and outer fabric within acasing formed between the opposite ends of the lower edge and having alength shorter than the lower edge, the elastic material having endssecured to respective side front portions to provide gathers of thefabrics along the lower edge. Each of the side front portions having aslightly curved elongated neck edge connected to respective upper endsof the vertical edges at one end of the neck edge and having another endspaced away a predetermined distance. Each of the side front portionshas a greater curved elongated arm edge with opposite ends one endthereof being adjacent another end of the neck edge and another arm edgeend being adjacent another end of the lower edge. An elongated neckstrap connects and spans between another end of the neck edge of theright and left front portions, and an elongated back strap connects andspans between another end of the arm edge of the right and left frontportions.

Other aspects of the invention are seen in the neck strap beingadjustable in length and includes a length of elastic material. The neckstrap carries a closed slide by which the elastic material iseffectively shortened to substantially have overlapping parts and bywhich the elastic material is effectively lengthened to substantiallyhave non-overlapping parts.

Additional aspects are provided by the back strap being adjustable inlength and includes a length of elastic material. The back strap carriesa closed slide by which the elastic material is effectively shortened tosubstantially have overlapping parts and by which the elastic materialis effectively lengthened to substantially have non-overlapping parts.

Further aspects are provided by forming attachment zones for securingthe back strap by another end of the lower edge and another arm edge endof each of the side front portions. Attachment zones are formed forsecuring the neck strap by another end of the neck edge and the one endof the arm edge of each of the side front portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thisinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an outer front elevational view of the auxiliary torso topouter garment in accord with the invention showing the open-ended frontzipper, the adjustable neck strap and the adjustable back strap;

FIG. 2 is an inner front elevational view of the right side portion ofthe garment of FIG. 1, as viewed from inside the garment, without themajor portion of the neck and back straps;

FIG. 3 is an inner front elevational view of the left side portion ofthe garment of FIG. 1, as viewed from inside the garment, without themajor portion of the neck and back straps; and

FIG. 4 is an outer front elevational view of another embodiment of theauxiliary torso top outer garment in accord with the invention, withmodified adjustable neck and back straps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The auxiliary torso top outer garment is generally designated by numeral10 in FIG. 1, and includes a right side breast portion 12 and a leftside breast portion 14 releasably secured together by an open-endedfront zipper 16 having an insertion pin 18, a retainer box 20 mounted atthe bottom 21 of left side of the zipper tape 22, as shown in FIG. 3.The top stop 23 is on the right side of the zipper tape 24, as shown inFIG. 2, and is spaced from insertion pin 18. Stop 23 and pin 18 aredisposed at opposite ends of the zipper tape 24, as sewn into thegarment 10. The zipper slider 25 has a pull tab 26 movably connected tothe slider 25 so that it may assume the position shown in FIG. 1 or befolded 180° downwardly to lie against the slider 25 and some of theinterlocking fasteners 27 and 28 on respective tapes 24 and 22, all ofwhich are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The tapes 22 and 24 are sewn as depicted by broken lines 30 and 31 inrespective FIGS. 2 and 3 to the completely lined bathing suit fabric ofnylon Lycra spandex or the like which may be 80 or 90% nylon and 20 or10% Lycra spandex and usually with four way stretch, as known in the artof swimsuits.

The upper edge 32 of each breast portion 12 and 14 has a shallow curveto form a U-neck or may be straighter to form a V-neck and has a lengthof about 7″ to 8″. The bottom edge 29 is gathered and has a length ofabout 9″ to 10″. The more deeply curved edge 33 is about 12″ to 13″. Thebreast portions 12 and 14 are sewingly connected to short casing endattachment zones 41 and 44 respectively, forming parts of neck strap 39and back strap 42. Spanning between attachment zone 41 is an adjustableelastic strap 40 which is adjusted to the minimum length, as shown withthe elastic being doubled, and may be adjusted to its maximum singledlength by a closed slider 46, commonly found on adjustable bra shoulderstraps and the like. Likewise, casing end attachment zones 44 of theback strap 42 are connected to doubled elastic 43 and the back strap 42is provided with a closed slider 48.

A typical torso top outer garment when sewn in accord with thisinvention may have the following attributes:

-   -   A. zipper 16—length 5″ to 6″    -   B. side breast portion 12 and 14 unstretched bottom length—9″        -   stretched bottom length—13″    -   C. elastic 34 width ½″ sewn at ends by sew lines 35 and 36 to        create gathers 37 in the casing 38 between the inner and outer        fabric forming the fully lined garment    -   D. unstretched upper edge 32 length—8″        -   stretched upper edge 32 length—11″    -   E. unstretched side curved edge 33 length—15″        -   stretched side curved edge 33 length—20″    -   F. neck strap 39 with unstretched elastic 40 doubled—12″        -   stretched elastic 40 doubled—16″        -   elastic 40 single stretched—21″        -   width of elastic 40—¾″    -   G. back strap 42 with unstretched elastic 43 doubled—11″        -   stretched elastic 43 doubled—16″        -   elastic 43 single stretched—22″    -   H. elastic 40 doubled about 3″ and connected to end attachment        zones 41 by respective closed slide 46 and side open slide 47    -   I. elastic 43 doubled about 3″ and connected to end attachment        zones 44 by respective closed slide 48 and side open slide 49

Preferably, the upper edge 32 of each breast portion 12 and 14 isprovided with elastic 52 sewn at ends by sew lines 53 and 54 to creategathers 55 in the casing 56 between the inner and outer fabric formingthe fully lined garment 10. Likewise the curved edge 33 of each breastportion 12 and 14 is provided with elastic 57 sewn at ends by sew lines58 and 59 to create gathers 60 in the casing 61 between the inner andouter fabric forming the fully lined garment 10.

It is to be understood that the width of the elastic 52 and/or 57 may bethe same or differ to provide a comfortable fit around the breast of thewearer. Also, that the elastic 52 and/or 57 may be the same or differfrom the width of elastic 40 and/or may be pre-stretched differentlyfrom the stretching of elastic 40 within its casing 38.

Sliders 47 and 49 may be closed sliders like sliders 46 and 48, or maybe one side open sliders so that each or either of the neck strap 39 andback strap 42 may be opened to provide even greater versatility for theuser in properly presetting the garment 10 in privacy.

With the above attributes, the drawings and the description, a personhaving ordinary skill in the sewing arts and particularly in theswimsuit sewing arts would be able to cut out, assemble and sew theauxiliary torso top outer garment 10 of this invention. It is intendedthat perhaps only two or perhaps three different sizes would be neededto adequately fit most women in a supportive and comfortable manner,such as,

-   -   Small—Medium,    -   Large—Extra Large, and    -   2x-3x

The various adjustable features of the straps 39 and 42 and thestretchability of not only the elastics 40 and 43 (and 34) but thestretchability of the entire side breast portions 12 and 14 and casingattachments 41 and 44, provide the garment with the ability of properfitting of most women's upper torso over bikini tops.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the auxiliary torso top outer garment 10would normally be adjusted by the bikini top wearer at the house orhotel prior to going to the beach or pool. She would remove the torsotop outer garment 10 from her body after adjustments and would be readyto go to the beach or pool wearing her bikini bathing suit, perhapsexposing more of her skin, as many bikini tops do. Before swimming orplaying volleyball, or running or overly bending or playing with and/orattending to her children, she would put on the auxiliary torso topouter garment 10, which neatly and comfortably covers more of herbreasts and would more effectively support and maintain the breastsinside the torso top 10 even if the breasts somehow “pop out” from thebikini top she is wearing. Likely this would not occur if the womanproperly adjusted the auxiliary torso top outer garment 10 before shewore it over her bikini top

FIG. 4 depicts an alternate embodiment with most of the same componentsidentified by the same numerals. The casing attachments 41 and 44 aresubstantially shortened or eliminated so that longer elastics 52 and 53primarily and respectively form substantially the entire neck strap 39Aand back strap 42A, as shown. Each of those straps 39A and 42A havecorresponding respective closed slides 46, 47, 48 and 49 which functionin the same manner as heretobefore described. This embodiment, whileperhaps being more easily sewn and less costly, is not as comfortable tothe wearer, as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specificembodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changesmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appendedclaims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by LettersPatent of the United States is:
 1. A torso top outer garment thatprovides increased coverage and support for women wearing bikini braswimsuits, the garment comprising right and left side front portionsrespectively having a generally horizontal lower edge and a generallyvertical edge extending perpendicular and upward from an end of saidlower edge; said right and left side front portions being made of astretchable outer fabric for swimsuits that stretches vertically andhorizontally and readily dries after being wet, said right and left sidefront portions being made of a stretchable inner fabric that stretchesvertically and horizontally and readily dries after being wet, saidinner fabric providing a lining for said outer fabric; an open-endedfront zipper of a predetermined length attached to each said right andleft side front portions along said vertical edges for releasablysecuring said right and left side front portions; a length of elasticmaterial of a predetermined width being disposed along each of saidlower edges and located between said inner and outer fabric within acasing formed between the opposite ends of said lower edge and having alength shorter than said lower edge, said elastic material having endssecured to respective said side front portions to provide gathers ofsaid inner and outer fabrics along said lower edge; each said right andleft side front portion having a slightly curved elongated neck edgeconnected to respective upper ends of said vertical edges at one end ofsaid neck edge and having another end spaced away a predetermineddistance; each said right and left side front portions having a greatercurved elongated arm edge having opposite ends with one end thereofbeing adjacent said another end of said neck edge and another arm edgeend being adjacent another end of said lower edge; an elongated neckstrap connecting and spanning between said another end of said neckedges of said right and left front portions; and an elongated back strapconnecting and spanning between said another end of said arm edges ofsaid right and left front portions.
 2. The garment as defined in claim 1wherein said neck strap is adjustable in length and includes a length ofelastic material.
 3. The garment as defined in claim 2 wherein said neckstrap includes a closed slide by which said elastic material iseffectively shortened to substantially have overlapping parts and bywhich said elastic material is effectively lengthened to substantiallyhave non-overlapping parts.
 4. The garment as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid arm edge includes gathers therealong.
 5. The garment as defined inclaim 1 wherein said back strap is adjustable in length and includes alength of elastic material.
 6. The garment as defined in claim 5 whereinsaid back strap includes a closed slide by which said elastic materialis effectively shortened to substantially have overlapping parts and bywhich said elastic material is effectively lengthened to substantiallyhave non-overlapping parts.
 7. The garment as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid neck edge includes gathers therealong.
 8. The garment as defined inclaim 1 wherein said another end of said lower edge and said another armedge end of each of said side front portions provides an attachment zonefor securing said back strap thereto.
 9. The garment as defined in claim1 wherein said another end of said neck edge and said one end of saidarm edge of each of said side front portions provides an attachment zonefor securing said neck strap thereto.
 10. The garment as defined inclaim 1 wherein said another end of said lower edge and said another armedge end of each of said side front portions provides an attachment zonefor securing said back strap thereto and wherein said another end ofsaid neck edge and said one end of said arm edge of each of said sidefront portions provides another attachment zone for securing said neckstrap thereto.
 11. A torso top outer garment the provides increasedcoverage for women wearing bikini bra swimsuits, the garment comprisingright and left front side portions respectively having an elongatedlower edge with opposite ends and extending generally horizontally, anelongated straight middle edge with opposite ends and extendingperpendicularly with respect to said lower edge, an elongated slightlyand downwardly curved neck edge with opposite ends, an elongated curvedarm edge with opposite ends extending generally vertically and spacedfrom said straight middle edge, one of said ends of said middle edgebeing connected to one of said ends of said lower edge, one of said endsof said neck edge being connected to another of said ends of said middleedge, said neck edge, another end and one of said ends of said arm edgebeing spaced from each other and forming a first attachment for anadjustable elongated neck strap, another of said ends of said lower edgeand another of said ends of said arm edge being spaced from each otherand forming a second attachment for an adjustable elongated back strap;an open-ended front zipper of a predetermined length attached to eachsaid right and left side portions along said straight middle edges forreleasably securing said right and left side portions; each said frontside portion being made of stretchable fabric for swimsuits thatstretches vertically and horizontally and readily dries after being wet,said elastic material having opposite ends secured to said front sideportions adjacent said opposite ends of said lower edge; a length ofelastic material of a predetermined width disposed along each of saidlower edges and being within a casing of respective said front sideportions and having a length shorter than said lower edge to providegathers along said lower edge; said elongated neck strap connecting andspanning between said first attachments of said right and left frontportions; and said elongated back strap connecting and spanning betweensaid second attachments of said right and left front portions.
 12. Thegarment as defined in claim 11 wherein said stretchable fabric includesan outer fabric and an inner fabric providing a lining for said outerfabric.
 13. The garment as defined in claim 12 wherein said casing isformed by a sewing line spaced above said lower edge and joining saidinner and outer fabrics.
 14. The garment as defined in claim 11 whereinsaid another end of said lower edge and said another arm edge end ofeach of said side front portions provides an attachment zone forsecuring said back strap thereto.
 15. The garment as defined in claim 11wherein said another end of said neck edge and said one end of said armedge of each of said side front portions provides an attachment zone forsecuring said neck strap thereto.
 16. The garment as defined in claim 11wherein said another end of said lower edge and said another arm edgeend of each of said side front portions provides an attachment zone forsecuring said back strap thereto and wherein said another end of saidneck edge and said one end of said arm edge of each of said side frontportions provides another attachment zone for securing said neck strapthereto.
 17. The garment as defined in claim 11 wherein said neck strapis adjustable in length and includes a length of elastic material. 18.The garment as defined in claim 17 wherein said neck strap includes aclosed slide by which said elastic material is effectively shortened tosubstantially have overlapping parts and by which said elastic materialis effectively lengthened to substantially have non-overlapping parts.19. The garment as defined in claim 11 wherein said back strap isadjustable in length and includes a length of elastic material.
 20. Thegarment as defined in claim 19 wherein said back strap includes a closedslide by which said elastic material is effectively shortened tosubstantially have overlapping parts and by which said elastic materialis effectively lengthened to substantially have non-overlapping parts.